Political correctness drains individuality

It is time to stop being excessively politically correct about everything and let developments in society transpire.

Merriam-Webster defines political correctness as “agreeing with the idea that people should be careful to not use language or behave in a way that could offend a particular group of people.”

However, do we put a restraint on individuality when we are trying to be careful of every action we make?

Being professional in certain settings and being politically correct are twodifferent things. People can be professional while adding their personalities to an event or situation, even if it goes against the status quo. It is about expression. If everyone was completely politically correct, life would be boring. When someone is spontaneous and true to themselves, it makes human interaction interesting.

According to Debate Organization, 71 percent of Americans said there is too much censorship and too much control over speech and actions, while 21 percent of Americans said we are not politically correct enough. Just like this survey shows, it is impossible for everyone to fully agree, and it can also be said that it is impossible to make everyone happy.

Some people would say they are suffocated by having to say or do something a certain way in order to not offend other people.

“I think there is too much political correctness,” said junior computer science major Chantel Hart. “As long as it isn’t hurting anyone, we shouldn’t care. People try to dig to find anything that could possibly offend them.”

There comes a point when enough is enough, but that doesn’t mean people get to be rude when someone else doesn’t have the same opinion.

“Any time you can avoid saying something or doing something that would negatively or adversely affect someone, it should be avoided,” said senior English major Robyn Weaver. “That being said, I think there comes a point in time where people begin to look for something to be offended about.”

However, there is a way to avoid being offended. No one is perfect and sometimes things are said or done unintentionally. People are easily angered when something they take pride in is insulted, whether it’s intentional or not.

“If people would consider the things they say and how they could be misinterpreted and how often that happens, maybe they wouldn’t be as hard on other people,” said sophomore computer science major Benjamin Goble.

Fortunately, people are learning to adapt to what society throws their way, and even the most politically correctare becoming more tolerant of society’s lack of political correctness.

“I believe people can be a little too sensitive,” said freshman pre-nursing major Chelsea Fust. “As we change and become a more modern civilization, we discover more things about people. Things like gay marriage were not accepted a few years ago, but it is now. We keep finding new ways to express ourselves and to ultimately grow as a country.”

When it comes down to it, society is tired of being politically correct. It takes a heavy toll on Americans to make sure everyone is pleased.

Living should be more about people figuring out who they are and expressing it than trying to figure out what the vast majority wants and being politically correct about it.

Trying to be politically correct about everything wastes too much time when people could be living theirlives.

Leave political correctness to the politicians. People should live their lives the way they want.​